B2 noun Formal

faculty

/ˈfæk.əl.ti/

A faculty refers to the teaching and administrative staff of a university or college, or a specific department within such an institution. It can also describe a natural mental or physical ability or power that a person possesses.

Examples

3 of 5
1

She has a remarkable faculty for remembering every face she sees.

She has a remarkable faculty for remembering every face she sees.

2

The Dean of the Faculty of Science will address the new students tomorrow.

The Dean of the Faculty of Science will address the new students tomorrow.

3

I'm not sure my faculty for staying awake is going to last through this movie.

I'm not sure my faculty for staying awake is going to last through this movie.

Word Family

Noun
faculty
Adjective
facultative
Related
facilitation
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Memory Tip

Think of the 'Faculty' as the group of people who provide the 'Facts' in a university.

Quick Quiz

The university's ______ of Engineering is world-renowned for its research.

Correct!

The correct answer is: faculty

Examples

1

She has a remarkable faculty for remembering every face she sees.

everyday

She has a remarkable faculty for remembering every face she sees.

2

The Dean of the Faculty of Science will address the new students tomorrow.

formal

The Dean of the Faculty of Science will address the new students tomorrow.

3

I'm not sure my faculty for staying awake is going to last through this movie.

informal

I'm not sure my faculty for staying awake is going to last through this movie.

4

The university faculty voted to implement a more rigorous research standard.

academic

The university faculty voted to implement a more rigorous research standard.

5

Our faculty of industry experts provides specialized training for corporate clients.

business

Our faculty of industry experts provides specialized training for corporate clients.

Word Family

Noun
faculty
Adjective
facultative
Related
facilitation

Common Collocations

faculty member faculty member
mental faculties mental faculties
faculty of law faculty of law
teaching faculty teaching faculty
faculty meeting faculty meeting

Common Phrases

in full possession of one's faculties

having full control of one's mental powers

a faculty for something

a natural talent or ability for something

the faculty of speech

the physical or mental ability to speak

Often Confused With

faculty vs facility

A facility is a building or a place provided for a specific purpose, whereas faculty refers to people or an internal ability.

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Usage Notes

In British English, 'faculty' often refers to a department (e.g., Faculty of Arts), while in American English, it more commonly refers to the collective group of teachers.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'faculty' to mean 'facility' when talking about a gymnasium or a library. Remember: Faculty = People/Powers; Facility = Places.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'Faculty' as the group of people who provide the 'Facts' in a university.

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin 'facultas', meaning 'power, ability, or abundance'.

Grammar Patterns

Can be used as a collective noun with either a singular or plural verb (mostly singular in US English). Countable noun: faculties (plural).
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Cultural Context

In academic culture, being a 'faculty member' carries a level of prestige and specific tenure-track implications in North American universities.

Quick Quiz

The university's ______ of Engineering is world-renowned for its research.

Correct!

The correct answer is: faculty

Related Words

to

A1

Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.

and

A1

A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.

a

A1

A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.

that

A1

This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.

I

A1

The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.

for

A1

Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.

not

A1

A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.

with

A1

A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.

he

A1

A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.

you

A1

Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.

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